Coronavirus: Riverina police concerned about increase in domestic violence during coronavirus crackdown
Police have reported the number of domestic violence calls has increased across the Riverina as families are forced to stay home amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The Wagga News
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The number of domestic violence calls to police in the Riverina has spiked over the last fortnight amid the lockdown measures in place to stop the coronavirus.
Officers were kept busy at the weekend with a high number of domestic violence reports and warning people to stop flouting measures to combat the coronavirus.
It comes as police last week launched an operation to target domestic violence in response to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and the measures to stop its spread.
District commander Superintendent Bob Noble today said there were 42 reports over the weekend, which he described as being “quite a large number”.
He also said the previous weekend had a large number of reports.
“Usually we get a few more reports on the weekend, but those numbers are a bit above the norm,” he said.
“Two weekends with that number of incidents reported is of concern.
“A number of them involved assaults. Every domestic violence matter is a potential homicide … (but) thankfully, none resulted in a homicide or a very serious injuries.”
Police also conducted compliance checks in relation to 37 domestic violence orders, resulting in no breaches. However, there were eight breaches related to other violence orders.
Eleven warnings were handed to people in the district for flouting government-mandated rules about social distancing and gatherings.
“Most of those people were careless or thoughtless. When it was pointed out, they admitted they made an error in judgement or being sloppy and undertook to not do it again,” Supt Noble said.
The latest warnings come after five people were fined $1000 each for gathering at a Tolland home on Friday without a reasonable excuse.
Also on the same day, a 55-year-old man was penalised after ignoring a police warning and request for him to move on from Benerembah Lane in Griffith.
The man could not provide a legitimate reason for being there. Police were also made aware that he had been warned to obey social distancing regulations earlier in the week.
Police this weekend will also conduct a statewide high-visibility operation to ensure people travel only for essential needs during the Easter long weekend.
“Travelling away for the purpose of taking a holiday is not an exception to the (police) minister’s directions,” Supt Noble said.
“If you do so, you will be breaking the law and you’re placing yourself and others at risk of harm. Stay at home if you can.”
As of 8am today, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the Murrumbidgee Local Health District remains at 42, with one death so far.
The number of people tested has reached 2080.
Domestic violence and mental health support:
- 1800 Respect national helpline: 1800 737 732
- Women's Crisis Line: 1800 811 811
- Men's Referral Service: 1300 766 491
- Lifeline (24-hour crisis line): 131 114
- Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
- Relationships Australia: 1300 364 277